SERVICES AND SUPPORT
Reaching Out Learning you have a chronic illness isn’t easy.
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by Trish Reynolds
There’s no instruction manual, play-by-play book or even a road map to mark out the journey. At a time when there is confusion, concern and overwhelming feelings, it can help to reach out and connect with someone who understands.
4 / Kidney Living / Spring 2020
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he Kidney Connect peer support program is based on the belief that speaking to someone who has a shared lived experience can be a benefit. The program is delivered in multiple ways to offer patients and their caregivers opportunities to connect in the way they feel most comfortable: by phone online at kidneyconnect.ca in-person within your clinic setting at a group meeting* We have come a long way in speaking more openly about mental health. Awareness campaigns like Bell Let’s Talk Day and Canadian Mental Health Week work to help destigmatize attitudes about mental health and support. Yet, it still takes courage to take the first step to reach out to get help. “It’s our goal for you to have a meaningful experience and get the support you need,” said Sadia Baig, Programs Coordinator for The Kidney Foundation. “When you reach out to our Kidney Connect tollfree line, you will speak to a member of our programs team, who will gather some basic information about your questions and concerns. With that information in hand, we can match you with one of our trained peer support volunteers.” kidney.ca
